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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Thumper Girl on August 5, 1999, at 4:34:08
I'm 40 and have been depressed to varying degrees for many, many years. I believe its basis is surely genetic since my mother committed suicide and 4 outta 5 siblings are currently on AD's. (thanks mom for those genes!! couldn't we just have gotten your nice nose??)
I've tried Zoloft and Prozac, but had to stop both due to side affects which I couldn't tolerate. (I'm typing this at 5am because that dang Prozac is still keeping me up.)
My question (yes, I'm getting to the point)- what does it feel like when you find an AD which works? Is it worth the dizziness, hair loss and (eeek!) lack of the big "O"?? I just need to know what could be ahead of me in order to decide whether all this is worth it.
Thx
Posted by roo on August 5, 1999, at 7:36:45
In reply to What does it feel like when the AD's work?, posted by Thumper Girl on August 5, 1999, at 4:34:08
I know the opinions will vary greatly on this
one, but I think when you find the best AD for
you it feels (after the side effects wear off--can
take up to a month or two) like you're not taking
anything, you just feel happier and more functional.
When something works for me, I don't dwell on my
negative thoughts as much, I'm not as introverted,
I laugh more, I notice beauty more, I socialize
with more ease and grace...Have you thought about trying Wellbutrin or Serzone?
They don't have the sexual side effects, and I think
it's relatively rare to lose your hair on wellbutrin.
some people have that side effect, but many don't.Celexa was great for my Dad. Serzone has been really
good for my good friend and roomate.Do you have health insurance? Maybe you could get
referred to a psychiatrist who could answer all your
questions and concerns.Good luck--I'll bet you can find one that works for
you. Keep us updated :-)
Posted by Sean on August 5, 1999, at 12:10:59
In reply to What does it feel like when the AD's work?, posted by Thumper Girl on August 5, 1999, at 4:34:08
> I'm 40 and have been depressed to varying degrees for many, many years. I believe its basis is surely genetic since my mother committed suicide and 4 outta 5 siblings are currently on AD's. (thanks mom for those genes!! couldn't we just have gotten your nice nose??)
>
> I've tried Zoloft and Prozac, but had to stop both due to side affects which I couldn't tolerate. (I'm typing this at 5am because that dang Prozac is still keeping me up.)
>
> My question (yes, I'm getting to the point)- what does it feel like when you find an AD which works? Is it worth the dizziness, hair loss and (eeek!) lack of the big "O"?? I just need to know what could be ahead of me in order to decide whether all this is worth it.
>
> ThxThis may sound strange, but when an AD is working
right I feel *normal*. It is as if I finally "get"
where the majority of human beings are coming from
and can see how my whole life I've sort of lived
inside a rather dark neurological cage. It is
almost too good to be true actually. Perhaps the
truly sad part is that you look back on your life
and see so many years and missed opportunities
because you were just so out of it; you realize
that if you had not been depressed so much, your
life would have turned out totally different. But
since you feel good, these thoughts are replaced
by pleasurable activities in the present. Well,
everything but sex, although I've found that you
can re-train your "parts" by well, spending
some quality time with yourself shall we say...Side effects suck, and I tend to over-react to
AD's, but I can't imagine my life without at least
experiencing for a short time, what it is like to
have a functional limbic system.Best of luck and hang in there,
Sean.
Posted by Racer on August 5, 1999, at 12:35:42
In reply to What does it feel like when the AD's work?, posted by Thumper Girl on August 5, 1999, at 4:34:08
It's waking up one morning to find that the real person inside you has finally managed to break the bonds of fear and misery that have kept her/him locked away for so long. The surprising part is that you may think you're 'yourself' while you're depressed, but the day you find your real self again, you realize how much you've missed.
For me, when I'm depressed, the stress of my life is enough to drive me over the edge. When the ADs kick in, that same stress is what makes me feel vital and alive. It makes me feel energetic, with the strength to take on anything in the world. When I'm depressed, I can't get to that strength, it may be there, but it's inaccessible to me. And when I'm depressed, I want quiet, no stress, because I just can't handle anything more than maybe getting out of bed. The ADs allow me to get up in the morning and say, "OK, which superheroine will I be today?" The ADs, when they work right, allow me to put the world into a more proper perspective. It's not the end of the world if a student doesn't think I'm great. It's not the end of the world if the house is a mess today, I can clean it tomorrow if I have time, or the next day. That's one of the perks of living alone. It isn't a sign that I'm the devil's spawn, it's more of a sign that I'm working long hours with little leisure time. And I'm not making much money for all my long hours. Oh, well, I'm working towards making this a money making enterprise that will provide me with a living salary. Long term good, right? I can see the long term again.
Both Prozac and Zoloft are SSRIs, maybe a drug in a different class would be good for you? Celexa, Effexor, Wellbutrin, Serzone are all different. There are drugs that help with the anorgasmia, Buspar, cyproheptadine, etc. Talk to your doctor, and experiment until you find one that works for you. Then get into therapy. The combination of the two is most healing.
Good luck to you.
Posted by Thumper Girl on August 5, 1999, at 21:35:23
In reply to What does it feel like when the AD's work?, posted by Thumper Girl on August 5, 1999, at 4:34:08
Thank you all for your insight. This all rather frightening and I appreciate your taking the time to share your experiences. I am in therapy - my 5th therapist, but this one seems to be a fit - yeah! Isn't it tiring to break in a new one?? You just wish the last one could fill in the current one on all your nutty details! Or better yet, just open up my darn head and look inside. Hey Doc - tell me what you see!
For now, I am going to hang on until the Prozac leaves my system - hoping the affects won't last too long. (I just saw a Richard Gere movie and there's not a darn thing I can do with this energy - if you get my drift!) Once I feel like myself, I think we're going to try Wellbutrin.
Thank you all agian - I'll keep you posted.
Thumper
Posted by Racer on August 6, 1999, at 0:12:09
In reply to Re: What does it feel like when the AD's work?, posted by Thumper Girl on August 5, 1999, at 21:35:23
When I was looking for a new therapist ten years ago, I interviewed a dozen of them before making up my mind. Once I narrowed the field down, choosing those whom I felt a connection with, but was still challenged by, I had about four visits to the finalists, and then chose one. It wasn't a hit-or-miss thing, but a deliberate choice. The only way to make my life better was to search for a therapist I could work well with for a long time.
Yes, it did work. I'm a much better person for it now, despite having had other episodes of depression. Don't just take the first therapist, find one you can work with. Otherwise, you're wasting time and money that could be better spent elsewhere.
Posted by Thumper Girl on August 7, 1999, at 7:04:20
In reply to About therapists..., posted by Racer on August 6, 1999, at 0:12:09
Wow Racer - that is way too healthy a method for shrink shopping! I tend to use a more emotional method. Lots of crying, procrastinating and panic. In the end it was just pure luck that I hooked up with one I can finally connect with. Hopefully this is one I can stick with during my walk through the tunnel and maybe I'll see what's at the other end. Thumper
Posted by Racer on August 7, 1999, at 12:21:30
In reply to Re: About therapists..., posted by Thumper Girl on August 7, 1999, at 7:04:20
> Wow Racer - that is way too healthy a method for shrink shopping!
Hahahaha! I thought it was a sign that I was avoiding having to work on anything difficult! That's so funny!
Still, in the end, it worked for me. I'm seeing a therapist now, and like her, but find that there's no epiphany happening. I already know myself pretty well, and only have to remind myself of what I know. Does that make sense? I think it means that I really had the best therapist last time around, that our work together got me to this place.
Of course, the depression isn't gone, just goes into remission now and then... Still, you can't have everything, huh?
This is the end of the thread.
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